The tax reform outlined in New Brunswick's green paper has AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro singing its praises. In this op/ed that appeared in newspapers across the country, he calls it a bold move in public policy and one that raises the bar for all other jurisdictions. That is, of course, if the proposals are implemented.
A Mexican delegation's attendance at the Maritime Lumber Bureau's annual convention in Halifax highlights links between the Atlantica region and markets further south in North America.
AIMS Director of Research Ian Munro speaks with the Chronicle Herald about the release of the Interim Municipal Report Card for Nova Scotia. Munro emphasizes that the goal of the Interim Report Card is to highlight the knowledge gaps.
In the next step in AIMS' Municipal Report Card project, "Measuring Up . . . or Not" is an interim report for Nova Scotia municipalities. It provides information on how municipalities spend our tax dollars, and invites Nova Scotians to comment. The final report with grades and ranks will be published later this year.
Does Anyone Know?
A lot of talk about Atlantica focuses on imports from other markets around the world flowing into North America through its gateway. A large investment in NB's potash industry, however, has its eye on using the region's ports to target foreign export markets, such as Brazil.
One of the many barriers holding Atlantica back from being more attractive as a transportation corridor is the number of borders that goods have to cross to get to their destination. Different provinces and states have different regulations and standards adding complexity and cost to transportion. Attracting trade will require major investment in the region and strategies that think outside of provincial boxes.
With New Brunswick about to release its green paper on tax reform, reporters turned to AIMS for insight on what should be in the paper. In this article, AIMS executive vice president explains it needs to shift income taxes to consumption taxes.
Marine transport is lower cost than land and it's greener. Past increases in trade flows in North America have largely been handled by existing land routes pushing them to the limits while waterways have been underutilized. Reducing the import duty on foreign made vessels could help spur much needed investment in replacing Canada's ageing fleet at an opportune time.
A conference in Halifax highlights the potential for Atlantica as the energy hub for the energy hungry US northeast.